Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-29
RUSSIAN wORKmES.
Their characteristics aud Pecu-
ftarittes-No Fear OF strikes.


portanoe in the world hence the de-
sire TO know all that we can Of the
working classes everywhere. Little has
been known OF these classes in Russia,
and much valuable information is given
by NJ. Msrius Jachom. who has
lately visited that country, and
has given his impressions to the public
in a very interesting book. Twenty
five years ago manufacturing was
almost unknown in Russia, but some
enterprising Frenchmen went to Mos
COW and established factories there.
After some time their efforts were
crowned with success, and to-day,
thanks to them. Moscow is the Man
chester of Russia. BY the side OF the
Kremlin, the Wasill Blajcnnoi, the
Kitai Gorod, and the fairy-like crea-
tiohs of the fancy and picturesque
art Of past centuries, are enormous
factories. whose tall brick chin
neys, plumed with smoke, rise
above the golden cupolas, the blue
pyramids, and the red towers OF the
old churches and palaces. The princi-
pal industries are the manufacture of
cotton, linen, woollen aud silk goods
jewelry, furniture, and paper. The
Russian workman has his own cha
racter and temperament, and lives in
a social organization which does not
correspond with that of western work
hen. Strictly speaking, there are no
factory operatives. The Russian who
works i'll the manufactures is pea
santa simple oujick-who goes to the
city to earn a little money. lie camps
during his term of work his real
home is his isba in the country. which
belongs to him, where his family live,
and toward which tend his dreams and
affections. He has no home away
from his village, and always refuses,
in spite of the promise OF higher
wages, to engage himself to work per
manently for factory. The foremen
in The factories are foreigners. The
workmen are obtained by sending
agents into the country, who go from
farm to farm engaging laborers for a
term Of two or three years for so much
a day.
The Russian is gifted with special in
telligence he learns to work in the
factory in few months he has in the
highest degree the faculties OF imita-
ton and assimilation. Very mild and
patient. lie obeys his chiefs with deie-
renee, who must, however, to succeed.
treat him with justice. as well as firm
ness. lie may be said to be a very
good living machine. Under the direc
ton OF skilful and intelligent fore
man. who teaches him how to work
and carefully corrects his faults. he is
capable of producing elegant and deli
cate chDSd0Urre. In fact, these
moujecks often weave yelvets and
satins that Lvonaise workman
would not be ashamed Of A
Russian workman never invents any
thing, but he applies with surprising
precision the inventions of others \
costume Of shcepskin i'll the winter,
skirt and trousers of cotton in the sum
mer, comprise his wardrobe trunk
and a sacred picture his travelling fur
niture. The mill where he works in
the DAYTIME is his sleeping room at
night lie $eers with his clothes on
either On the bare floor or on some
boards placed above his loom. Charita-
bic managers have often opened dormi-
tories with comfortable beds for these
workmcD. but they have always refused
to sleep in them.
The most absolute communion exists
among these men. They are organized
into an association, whose chef. the
StHrOStC. buys food and clothing for all,
takes charge of the kitchen, is an arbi-
traitor and Judge of the peace, answers
for them to the police, and watches
over the interests OF the association.
\ police officer appointed by the Gov
eminent watches the men, inspects oil
the books and pamphlets which they
read. listens TO their conversation, and
alone gives authorization for the men
TO leave the factory. examining
each one carefully on his return.
From June TO September most
Of the mcn go home 10 work on
their farms. Ii it is absolutel v ncccs-
sa1y for them to remain at their looms
they employ other men TO replace them
at hon, but the managers have TO
employ great deal OF diplomacy TO
induce them TO consent 10 such an ar
IanGcmcut Their isba and farm have
On attraction for the peasants which the
scductioas Of the city are not able to
overcome. During the Easter holidays
I'll the factories close. Nothing in the
world would induce the workman to
celebrate this popular feast away from
his village. These exceptional social
conditions cause n continual change IN
the employees Of the factories, aud n t
least one third are changed every year,
Except 4 day each week, which the
vorkmen srrupulouslv devote to drink
ing, they are of exceptional SObric.y.
4 little oatmeal porridge. an onion with
salt, glass Of tea. and they are salts
fed. All idea OF comfort, OF CASTRO
homie satisfaction is unknown to them,
and they amuse themselves the most
innocenily in the world, in passing
whole day gaping along the side Of the
hedges. IN most Of the factories men,
women, young girls, and children sleep
promiscuously together. In the sum
mcr they battle all together. in a state
of nature, in the river or bathing-places
constructed for this purpose.
The mills are dismal and gloomy
nothing i, heard but the sound Of the
machines and looms no songs, no
laughter; it is the silence OF prison.
Roth men and women have an express
sion OF melancholy, indifference, and
iatalism on their faces without any looks
of generous emotions. The mOujick,
peasant or workman, lives i'll an atmos-
phere of seryility and ignorance he is
not vet born into habits of indepen-
dence. His past weighs on him, the
present troubles him, and the future is
closed to him by the complete absence
of education and the lack of intellec-
tual motive. Hence his carelessness
for the morrow is equalled by his sad
pnssiyeness of to-day.
The managers of the factories have
never been able to persuade the Rus
sian workmen to establish fund for
oldage for mutual help. They willing
" practice Communism among them
selves, but seem 10 be instructive
" hostile TO the idea of moral
and mate rial solidarite. The have no
! ,,y;1o In tbpir fradp the work